Narendra Modi labels Pakistan 'mothership of terror' at Brics summit

Brics nations hold two-day summit in India's coastal state of Goa to strengthen their alliance.

(L-R) Brazil's President Michel Temer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President Jacob Zuma pose for a group picture during Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit in Benaulim, in the western state of Goa, IndiaDanish Siddiqui/Reuters

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi castigated neighbour Pakistan calling it the "mothership of terror" during his speech at the Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) summit in Goa. Not one to miss an opportunity to take a dig, Modi went on to say the country not only provided shelter to "terrorists" but also actively nurtured them.

Calling on the Brics — a loosely aligned bloc of developing nations that hopes to provide a daring alternative to other bigger alliances such as Nato — to work actively together to tackle terror threats, Modi urged the countries to set a direction to support "our common aspirations and goals".

The league held its eighth summit in the western Indian coastal state of Goa — a popular tourist destination not just known for its azure waters but also notoriously famous for drug trafficking points — on 15 and 16 October. Visiting leaders of all the four nations —Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, South Africa President Jacob Zuma and Brazilian leader Michel Temer are part of the conference.

On the second day of the political gathering, the Indian prime minister, who has locked horns with Islamabad over a series of cross-border incidents in recent times, said: "In our own region, terrorism poses a grave threat to peace, security and development. Tragically its mothership is a country in India's neighbourhood. Terror modules around the world are linked to this mothership. This country shelters not just terrorists. It nurtures a mindset.

"A mindset that loudly proclaims that terrorism is justified for political gains. It is a mindset that we strongly condemn. And, against which we as Brics need to stand and act together. Brics must speak in one voice against this threat."

India's concern over the increasing confrontation with Pakistan has been the underlying factor resonating throughout the summit, both at the main gathering and on the sidelines. Except for China, a strong ally of Pakistan, Modi was able to convince other nations in what has been seen as his wider diplomatic push to isolate Pakistan at global forums.

The gathering also touched on the economic situation troubling the member nations and vowed to step up collaboration in financial matters.